Device for cleaning vessels



Dec. 18, 1962 c. w. NUISSL DEVICE FOR CLEANING VESSELS Filed Nov. 13,1959 INVENTOR :42; w. IWISSL United States Patent .0

e 3,068,829 DEVICE FOR CLEANING VESSELS Carl W. Nuissl, New York, N.Y.(1834 Centre St., Boston, Mass.) Filed Nov. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 852,789 4Claims. (Cl. 114222) This invention relates generally to the art ofcleaning the hull of vessels; relates particularly to accomplishing theabove without putting the vessel into dry-dock; and relates especiallyto the method of cleaning the hull of vessels utilizing high-energyvibrational waves of an ultrasonic frequency.

After one or more voyages the hulls of vessels become coated with seagrowths, such as barnacles, weeds, or the like. This greatly impairs theefficiency of the vessel and may seriously impede the speed thereof. Atpresent, it is necessary to move the vessel into dry-dock in order toeffect a thorough cleaning. This is both expensive and time consuming.

It is a cardinal object of this invention, therefore, to provide amethod of cleaning the hulls of vessels without moving the vessel intodry-dock.

It is another primary object to provide a method of cleaning the hullsof vessels with high-energy waves of an ultrasonic frequency.

It is another object to provide an efficient and yet economicalapparatus for cleaning the bottoms of vessels.

Still another object is to provide means for cleaning the under-waterexterior of vessels without materially interfering with its use.

With these objects in view, the invention consists of the novel featuresof construction and arrangement of parts which will appear in thefollowing specifications and recited in the appended claims, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings in which the same referencenumerals indicate the same parts throughout the various figures, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a vessel illustrating the use ofthe invention; and

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view corresponding to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the ultrasonic cleaner and housing;and

FIG. 4 is a diagramatic representation of the highenergy ultrasonic wavegenerator.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate what may be for some purposesa preferred embodiment of the invention, I have illustrated generally aboat, or vessel, to be cleaned, and a cleaning device indicatedgenerally at 11.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the cleaning device 11 has an outer shellor frame 12 fully enclosing an area except for one open side wall and anat least partially open bottom wall. The shell 12 may be rectangular asillustrated, or otherwise.

Fastened to one wall 14 of the shell 12 is at least one high energy wavegenerator 15 producing waves in the ultrasonic range (approximately40,000 cycles per second), FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation ofone form of wave generator 15.

The wave generator 15 comprises an impeller 16 which is mounted forrotation on the upper end of a spindle 18 "ice driven by an electricmotor or the like (not illustrated). The impeller 16 consists of aseries of even spaced blades. The edges of the blades of impeller 16 arein close proximity to the inner surface of a rigid dome or cowl 19. Thecowl 19 is formed with a plurality of slots 20 through which liquid isejected by the action of the impeller 16 into the interior of the shell12. In consequence, the liquid flow between each of the blades ofimpeller 16 produced by its rotation will be periodically interruptedand accordingly the stream of liquid through each slot will havesuperimposed thereon vibrations of a relatively high frequency(supersonic).

Referring again to FIG. 4 it may be observed that the liquid in the formof sea Water is drawn into the device between the spindle 18 and itssurrounding collar 21. For this purpose a central opening 17 (seeFIG. 1) will be provided in the wall 14 of the shell 12. The saidcentral opening 17 may be of any convenient shape to permit the passageof the seawater into the wave generator 15. A screen, as at 22 may beprovided to remove any of the larger impurities such as sea weed or thelike. From there the liquid passes to the center of the cowl 19 to beperiodically thrust forward by the impeller as hereinabove explained. Asis well known the action of such high energy waves in the ultrasonicfrequency range (approximately 40,000 cycles per second) is extremelyeffective in removing any impurities clinging to the sides of thevessel.

The bottom of the outer shell 12 is open (either partially or fully asshown) to permit the removed impurities 25 to fall freely to the bottomof the water instead of collecting within the shell. The open side Wallof the shell 12 is held firmly against the side of the vessel 10 as by adiver 24 as shown in FIG. 2.

To aid the diver 24 guide ropes 25 may be fastened around the vessel andslidingly fit through holes 28 in the shell 12.

An electric cable 40 may be suspended from the surface of the vessel toprovide power for the electric motor.

The foregoing will sufiice to impart a clear understanding of myinvention without further explanation.

While there are above disclosed but a limited number of embodiments ofthe structure, process and product of the invention herein present, itis possible to produce still other embodiments without departing fromthe inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired therefore thatonly such limitations be imposed on the appended claims as are statedtherein or required by the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An ultrasonic energy cleaner for removing sea growths from the hullsof vessels while said hulls are under water comprising, a shell having acentral opening and adapted to move over the hull of a vessel, the sideof said shell facing said hull and the bottom of said shell being atleast partially open and communicating with said water, at least onehigh energy ultrasonic wave generator fastened to one wall of said shelland within said central opening and so positioned that the preponderanceof waves emitted therefrom are directed toward said open side, and guideropes along said vessel to guide the movement of said shell.

2. An ultra-sonic energy cleaner for removing seagrowths from the hullsof vessels while said hulls are under water, comprising, a shell havinga central opening and adapted to move over the hull of a vessel, theside of said shell facing said hull being at least partially opened andcommunicating with said central opening, said central opening beingpositioned on the side of said shell opposite said partially openedside, and at least one high energy ultrasonic wave generator within saidcentral opening.

3. An ultra-sonic energy cleaner for removing seagrowths from the hullsof vessels while said hulls are under water as described in claim 2,wherein the bottom of said'shell is at least partially opened.

4. An ultra-sonic energy cleaner for removing sea- 15 growths from thehulls of vessels while said hulls are under water as described in claim2, wherein said central opening is so positioned that the preponderanceof waves emitted therefrom are directed toward said open side.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS663,180 Mason Dec. 4, 1900 10 2,468,550 Fruth Apr. 26, 1949 2,512,743Hansell June 27, 1950 2,814,575 Lange Nov. 26, 1957 2,883,310 McAuley'eta1 Apr. 21, 1959 2,922,428 Wampler Jan. 26, 1960

